Really?! How is this ok?

Called the cops today on a begger outside of a grocery store who had (what appeared to be) a baby around 1 year old. They said its not something police or CPS normally respond to.

I hate beggers as it is - but that is my personal opinion. What is beyond me is the idea that its ok to have a baby outside all day while you beg for money. That child deserves better and should be with a family who will love and support them.

I saw a woman outside of a post office on a very hot day begging for money and didn't take action - and to this day it upsets me and I wish I would have done something to help that poor baby. How do these people live with themselves? And why won't the authorities step in?! :(

Comments (133)

I can tell that u have never fell on hard times...not true, down and out hard times!

U never know a persons situation, u view this women as an abled body person that can "find and keep" a job. I'm a living witness, that life is not that easy! I have worked since I was legally able to, started at 15 years old. Im 26 lost my job at 6 months pregnant after being on my job for 6 1/2 years... im still unemployed! Looking for employment is not that easy these days. Now granted I have never had to beg and my kids are well taken care of but I know how it feels to be down and out. She may not have family or friends, no daycare because she doesn't have a job. Government programs take time to kick in, as far as shelters go...if they are full they will not allow u in.

Bottom line is, U NEVER KNOW A PERSONS SITUATION SO DONT BE SO QUICK TO JUDGE!

Omg this totally just reminded me of one time I got put in a situation with a 'begger'.

Me and DF were leaving Walmart after grocery shopping and a women ran up to our car window. She said "I have my 2 kids in the car and I really need to feed them. My welfare check doesn't come for another 2 days. Times are rough I'm begging you." Then she continued to say we don't even have to give her money, we could come in and buy something for them. DF being the softy he is, went in with her. We usually don't have any extra money but we did this month because DF got a bonus at work.

So anyways he goes in and buys her like 5 boxes of the cheap spaghetti noodles and some cans of sauce . Not a whole lot but it was cheap and could last her a few days. Not saying that we do this with every person we see asking for money, but it felt nice that we could help.

Honestly I would never give a stranger money. I would buy what they need so you know you're not dealing with an alcoholic or drug addict etc. this happened like 2 years ago btw. And it was really DF that helped not exactly me lol but it was still a good deed! Just thought I'd share. Lol

I'm a social worker. OP, you claim to be in touch with reality but you're so wrong. While I will agree that there are MANY people who take advantage, are lazy, etc, so many scenarios in this case are possible and to cast judgment like that proves that, unfortunately, there are still some very narrow-minded people in this world.

I'm glad you were able to get a job but, tell me, what is your childcare like? What if this "beggar" woman has no stable supports to be trusted with her children? Who watches her kids while she works? Maybe she could enroll her baby in daycare. Ok, $150 per week when she will make, at most, $200-$300 take home. Factor in rent (assuming she has a place to live), or security deposit, utilities, essentials not covered by food stamps, transportation-suddenly that form of childcare is no longer an option. Should she leave her kids with someone untrustworthy? Would you?

She could apply for care for kids or other childcare assistance but there's a lengthy waiting period and she needs to survive in the meantime.

Say she gets the job, secures some sort of childcare- does she have work-appropriate attire? Reliable transportation?

Sure, she could be a selfish, lazy woman with her hand out and no desire to find a real job. She could also be a million other things and you really shouldn't assume just one of those scenarios is the real deal. Assume-makes an ASS out of U and ME.

I can tell you all right now that there will never ever be a day when I am standing around doing nothing while asking others to hand me money that they worked for. And just so you know - it was not just a woman, it was a man and a woman. Two adults. I don't believe in good luck or bad luck. I have a good life and luck had nothing to do with it. Just like if someone is homeless they didn't just have a stroke of 'bad' luck. I believe people use "luck" as an excuse. Your friend is doing great? She must be lucky. You lost your job? Stroke of bad luck. How convenient. There are people who need help - absolutely. And like I said, horrible things happen to good people. Houses burn down, people die, and natural disasters happen and have devastating effects on people and their lives and my opinion on people asking for money outside of stores and exploiting their children does not take away from the people out there that do deserve and need assistance and have circumstances that affect them and are out of their control.

Obviously I can see in the comments that I am practically alone in my opinion and its ok with me because I'm not afraid to hear what others think and it doesn't upset me that you disagree. I'm surprised that people are less concerned with the well being of the children living in these conditions and more concerned with the fact that I am 'judging' them.

And my opinion does not make me a bad person in any way. In fact I am an incredibly loving person and would do anything for my friends and family and believe in contributing to the greater good. I don't think anyone should be homeless and I think every person should be provided healthcare and be treated equally. And I honestly believe that the people who continue to live on the streets are the ones who are not willing to stay sober and work.

Where I differ is in rewarding someone who I believe is putting their child in danger. There is an abundance of programs out there to assist the homeless and get them on their feet. And even more assistance when children are involved. So you better believe when I see adults in a parking lot with a child asking for money - I don't see it as the ''most degrading'/difficult' option - I see it as the easiest. For you and I, begging for money would be rock bottom - for others, it's not. I dont care what is goibg on - no child should be put in that situation.

The only thing I can do is judge. I don't have the ability to take action if the child is in danger and I don't want to reward adults who use their children as pawns by giving them money. That's why I called the authorities who have people's best interests at heart so that they can evaluate the situation and either help them or make sure the child is saved from a bad situation. I believe I did the right thing.

Jobs aren't that easy to come by. And even some of the most podunk little businesses won't bother to hire someone without an address or reliable transportation, nevermind someone who might not be able to make it to work because they can't afford childcare.